Maumee's finance committee unveils a new plan to fix sewer problems and says it will cost less for residents

MAUMEE, Ohio (WTVG) – Maumee officials have a new plan to fix the city’s sewer problems, and they said it will cost residents even less than previous proposals.

Citizens approved Thursday during a meeting of the finance committee. Some said they felt more optimistic.

There has been a back and forth between Maumee residents and officials in recent months. Both sides worked together to find a way to repair the sewer system and resolve illegal dumping without imposing a huge financial burden on homeowners.

City Manager Patrick Burtch said the past week has been a game-changer for the sewer plan.

“This is a complete renovation of the program based on the realization that interest rates are on a downward trajectory and that really helps our residents,” Burtch said.

Burtch said city officials were able to reconfigure the financial side of their plan, all because interest rates on loans dropped from 2.86% to 2.43%.

“It doesn’t sound like much, but at the end of the day, if you’re looking for between $80 million and $100 million in a loan that is substantial over a 30-year period,” Burtch said of the lower interest rate on the loan the city plans to take out . to repair the sewers.

Maumee has been cited by the EPA for illegal dumping into the Maumee River. City officials say repairing and lining the sewer system will solve the problem.

The latest proposal was presented to the finance committee. Committee members moved to recommend the plan to the City Council.

“The city council is hopefully willing to take that risk on behalf of its residents on Monday, we believe it is the right thing to do,” Burtch said.

Under the new plan, residents will not have to pay additional costs to finance sewer repairs. In an earlier plan, city leaders proposed an additional $12 monthly payment for residents. Now the financing will come from existing sewer rates.

Chelsea Ziss, an executive member of the Citizens of Maumee Action Committee, said the group worked with the city to recommend eliminating that fee.

“Many people will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that there will be no additional charges and that the issue is still being resolved,” Ziss said.

Ziss said she felt CMAC’s concerns and recommendations were taken into account in the new proposal and at the finance committee meeting.

“We’ll always continue to look at it, review it, read everything and research as much as we can, but I feel really good about the direction we’re still moving in,” Ziss said.

The new plan still has the grant/loan program to help citizens pay for sewer repairs in homes, but the city will cover a larger portion of the costs for free under the proposed plan.

The repairs will be 100% funded by the city if homeowners choose to have their work completed in 2025, unless they have a combined household income of $198,044 (250% area median income). The city will cover 80% of the costs if homeowners complete the work in 2025.

Burtch said the plan depends on obtaining regulatory approval to use public funds for work on private homes. He hopes the ruling will go in the city’s favor.

The City Council is expected to review and vote on the plan at a meeting Monday.

Burtch said city leaders will be contacting citizens in the coming weeks about hosting private meetings to answer any homeowner questions one-on-one.

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